Now Plautius had much adoo to find out the Britains in their lurking
holes and couerts; howbeit when he had traced them out, first he
vanquished Cataratacus, and after Togodumnus the sonnes of
Cynobellinus: for their father was dead not verie long before. These
therefore fléeing their waies, Plautus receiued part of the people
[Sidenote: Bodumni.]
[Sidenote: Catuellani.]
called Bodumni (which were subiects vnto them that were called
Catuellani) into the obeisance of the Romans: and so leauing there a
garrison of souldiors, passed further till he came to a riuer which
could not well be passed without a bridge: wherevpon the Britains
tooke small regard to defend the passage, as though they had béene
sure inough. But Plautius appointed a certeine number of Germans which
he had there with him (being vsed to swim ouer riuers although neuer
so swift) to get ouer, which they did, sleaing and wounding the
Britains horsses, which were fastened to their wagons or chariots, so
that the Britains were not able to doo anie péece of their accustomed
seruice with the same.
Herewithall was Flauius Vespasianus (that afterwards was emperour)
with his brother Sabinus sent ouer that riuer, which being got to the
further side, slue a great number of the enimies. The residue of the
Britains fled, but the next day proffered a new battell, in the which
they fought so stoutlie, that the victorie depended long in doubtfull
balance, till Caius Sidius Geta being almost at point to be taken, did
so handle the matter, that the Britains finallie were put to flight:
for the which his valiant dooings, triumphant honors were bestowed
vpon him, although he was no consull.
The Britains after this battell, withdrew to the riuer of Thames,
néere to the place where it falleth into the sea, and knowing the
shallowes and firme places thereof, easilie passed ouer to the further
side, whom the Romans following, through lacke of knowledge in the
nature of the places, they fell into the marish grounds, and so came
to lose manie of their men, namelie of the Germans, which were the
first that passed ouer the riuer to follow the Britains, partlie by a
bridge which lay within the countrie ouer the said riuer, and partlie
by swimming, and other such shift as they presentlie made.
[Sidenote: _Togodumnus._]
The Britains hauing lost one of their rulers, namelie Togodumnus (of
whom ye haue heard before) were nothing discouraged, but rather more
egerlie set on reuenge. Plautius perceiuing their fiercenesse, went no
further, but staid and placed garrisons in steeds where néed required,
to keepe those places which he had gotten, and with all spéed sent
aduertisement vnto Claudius, according to that he had in commandement,
if anie vrgent necessitie should so mooue him. Claudius therefore
hauing all things before hand in a readinesse, straightwaies vpon the
receiuing of the aduertisement, departed from Rome, and came by water
vnto Ostia, and from thence vnto Massilia, and so through France sped
his iournies till he came to the side of the Ocean sea, and then
imbarking himselfe with his people, passed ouer into Britaine, and
came to his armie which abode his comming néere the Thames side, where
being ioined, they passed the riuer againe, fought with the Britains
in a pitcht field, and getting the victorie, tooke the towne of
Camelodunum (which some count to be Colchester) being the chiefest
citie apperteining vnto Cynobelinus. He reduced also manie other
people into his subiection, some by force, and some by surrender,
whereof he was called oftentimes by the name of emperour, which was
against the ordinance of the Romans: for it was not lawfull for anie
to take that name vpon him oftener than once in anie one voiage.
Moreouer, Claudius tooke from the Britains their armor and weapons,
and committed the gouernment of them vnto Plautius, commanding him to
endeuour himselfe to subdue the residue.
[Sidenote: _Dion Cassius._]
Thus hauing brought vnder a part of Britaine, and hauing made his
abode therin not past a sixtene daies, he departed and came backe
againe to Rome with victorie in the sixt month after his setting
foorth from thence, giuing after his returne, to his sonne, the
[Sidenote: _Suetonius._]
surname of Britannicus. This warre he finished in maner as before is
said, in the fourth yéere of his reigne, which fell in the yéere of
the world 4011, after the birth of our Sauiour 44, and after the
building of Rome 797.
* * * * *
_The diuerse opinions and variable reports of writers touching the
partile conquest of this Iland by the Romans, the death of Guiderius._